the audience applauded

A Brilliant Conflict

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Ruggero Deodato is, of course, best known for the exploitation classic Cannibal Holocaust; but he's directed a few lesser known films that aren't too far behind in quality - and this stylish, sexy romp is certainly one of them! It's true that I like good sleaze more than most people, but I can honestly say that if you've been intrigued by Giallo's such as Silvio Amandio's Amuck or Luciano Ercoli's Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion, The Washing Machine is sure to delight! The focus with this film is purely on the sex scenes, and Deodato has managed to create a thriller that is surprisingly erotic, as he makes great use of his actress' assets! The film focuses on three sisters (intriguing enough on its own), who have to call the police when the body of a pimp named Yuri is found in their washing machine. However, when the inspector arrives, the body disappears - but this is a copper that doesn't let a case go easily, and after taking the decision to devote all of his free time to both the case and the three sisters in question, he soon finds himself a part of their sex games.Given the plot and the fact that it stars three very sexy women, you would be forgiven for thinking that The Washing Machine is merely soft-core porn. Director Ruggero Deodato apparently said that he made this film purely for the money, but I find that hard to believe as great care and attention seems to have been put into the film. The lighting in many scenes is fantastic, while the score and lush Gothic locations enhance the surreal plot. Even the acting isn't bad, which is a huge rarity for Italian cinema. The three ladies make up the backbone of the film, and as you might expect; every scene that features them is a treat. The girls' look sexy whether they're dressed or not, and I'm pleased to say that all three of them spend more time in the latter state! The story plays second fiddle to the sex scenes, but it's admirable that a movie like this has a story at all. Deodato ensures that the movie flows well, and that there's always something of interest when none of the characters are having sex. Overall, The Washing Machine is extremely sleazy and surprisingly erotic; and while I may be praising it too highly, I've got to say that I really enjoyed the film and recommend it to anyone that likes their sleazy horror films!

In this latter day Giallo, Police Inspector Alexander Stracev is called to the home of three sisters to investigate a crime. One of the sisters claims to have found the mutilated body of a pimp named Yuri in her washing machine. When Inspector Stracev arrives, he finds no body and no sign of there having ever been a body. But the more he investigates, the more enthralled he becomes by each of the three sisters as they take turns trying to seduce him, tempting him with information about what happened to Yuri and accusing each other of responsibility for Yuri's disappearance. Inspector Stracev is not sure what he's on to, but he can't get away from it. The sisters keep drawing him in deeper and deeper.With a name like The Washing Machine, I had no idea what to expect. What I found was an entertaining Euro-thriller that exceeded my somewhat guarded expectations. Director Ruggero Deodato (better known for his cannibal films) has created a very stylish (as stylish as Budapest, circa 1993, can be), quick moving and entertaining film that kept my interest from the opening scenes. The pacing is nice and I enjoyed the way Deodato allowed the plot to unfold in bits and pieces during several erotically charged moments. The mystery elements kept me guessing until the very end. There were questions I couldn't wait to be answered - Was there really a body in the washing machine? Are the three sisters as completely mad as they seem? Or, are these women using the Inspector as part of some sort of elaborate game? It's all very nicely done.

....when you can rent movies like "The Washing Machine"? Deodato's erotic thriller has (almost) everything you're looking for in a soft-core film, plus...a story! Of course the story lags at times, to allow for some very sexy moments (all three sisters are scorching hot), and the more you think about it, the less sense it makes. But the film does have two effective (if perhaps incomprehensible) twist endings, and a terrific music score. (**1/2)

I wasn't expecting too much from this movie-this is surely no "Cannibal Holocaust",but a decent erotic thriller from infamous Ruggero Deodato.It's very well-made,atmospheric and it has some really sensual sex scenes.The acting is pretty good(Polish actress Katarzyna Figura shines here as one of three sisters)and there's an unexpected and rather gross dismemberment scene which reminds me brilliant "Cannibal Holocaust".My evaluation:7 out of 10.Recommended!